How Many Immigrants Cross the Border Each Year?

According to the Migration Policy Institute, about 1 million immigrants cross the United States border lawfully each year. Most immigrants come from Mexico, China, India, the Philippines, and El Salvador.

Of the total number of people who immigrated to the United States, approximately 8 percent entered with legal refugee status, according to the Migration Policy Institute. The number of people who crossed into the United States as temporary visitors was 45 million, with 1.17% of them overstaying their visas according to U.S. Homeland Security. Although the government cannot accurately determine the number of people who currently live in the United States without legal authorization, the total number is estimated at 11.5 million.